Comment by evanjrowley | Hacker News Reader

Comment by evanjrowley | Hacker News Reader

I've been searching for the perfect Steam deck controller. 8BitDo is high on my list.

I really like 8BitDo for their Bluetooth hall-effect controllers[0]. It's a decent $70 and comes with a charging stand and 2.4G wireless adapter. I just wish that controller's analog sticks were both positioned on the bottom, like a PlayStation controller. The Steam Deck also has a symmetrical layout for analog sticks / buttons. I also wish 8BitDo controller had 4 back buttons like the Steam Deck.

PDP's Victrix Pro BFG controller[1] has the back buttons and configurable layout. Unfortunately, it lacks hall effect analog sticks and don't sell replacement analog sticks. The risk of permanent stick drift on a $180 controller is just too high IMO.

The PS5 Edge Pro controller[2] is an absurd $200, but at least the analog sticks are replaceable. I'd be tempted to buy it if it had 4 back buttons instead of 2.

I'm holding out for GuliKit's rumored PS5 controller[3]. They already make hall effect analog sticks for the Steam Deck & understand the desire for 4 back buttons. Fingers crossed.

[0] https://shop.8bitdo.com/products/8bitdo-ultimate-wireless-bl...

[1] https://pdp.com/products/ps5-pc-victrix-pro-bfg-controller

[2] https://www.playstation.com/en-us/accessories/dualsense-edge...

[3] https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2023/03/06/ps5-hall-eff...

For what it's worth, I have the 8Bitdo ultimate for my Steam Deck when it's docked, and I love the thing. It didn't actually work on release and I returned it, but I heard that 8bitdo and Valve did some work to iron out the kinks and it's pretty much plug-and-play now. It's really nice how the charging dock works, too. Pretty seamless to just pick up and play.

I've been searching for a great quality PS5 controller that has the left thumb stick in a neutral position and doesn't cost $250. On the rare days when get a chance to play a longer session, I can use the Xbox or Switch Pro controllers for hours without issues, but I hardly touch my PS5 because the left thumb stick requires such a stretch that my thumb tendon already starts to get sore after 15 minutes.

I understand the business logic, but I wish the console manufacturers would allow more portability between them.

The Pro controller has a Nintendo style button layout, compared to the Deck itself and Xbox controllers. Not a super big problem with Steams fantastic remapping but the labels will always be "wrong".

I have the Pro 2 and the analog sticks are at the bottom, but yeah the button remapping can be an issue. Not sure about the Pro 1 but the 2 also has an app to configure the settings. Op, one thing to keep in mind regarding the Ultimate vs the Pro/2 is that the ultimate lacks a distinct mode switch that the 2 has (modes being Switch, Android, D-input and X-input).

This is a bit late, but you can buy Xbox layout buttons from 8BitDo for pretty cheap and swap em if that bothers you

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